G.B. Johnson Jr.
Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel
ASHLAND - After a long, productive and loving life, G.B. Johnson Jr. passed away early Wednesday morning, May 5, 2010. His wife, Mary Frances, was by his side to help guide him in this part of his journey.
He was born in Benton, Ky., on Jan. 15, 1918, a son of the late Gillard and Josie Johnson. Although he suffered from polio and hip problems, he graduated valedictorian from Benton High School. He went on to attend Murray State University and received a JD degree from the University of Louisville in 1944 and an LLM degree from George Washington University in 1946. While living in Washington, he worked for Sen. Alben Barkley during the Roosevelt-Truman administration.
In Washington, he married his first wife, Irma Frame, and Senator Barkley acted as his best man. In 1947, G.B. moved to Ashland to practice law with Frank Malin. In 1952, he served as an attorney and later general counsel for the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Commission. In 1954, he joined the law firm of Judge W.R. Dysard, which later became Dysard, Johnson & Welch, where he established a corporate and insurance practice. In 1966, he joined Second National Bank, later known as First Bank and Trust Co.
In 1972, G.B. originated and co-founded the Greater Ashland Foundation, which purchased the Paramount Theater and renovated it into an arts center. In 1974, he became president and CEO. In 1980, G.B. was elected chairman of the banks board, a position he occupied until his retirement.
He played major roles in the FIVCO Area Development District, the A-A Highway, the Jean Thomas Museum & Cultural Center and the Mayo Amphitheatre. G.B. also made significant contributions of time and energy to the Huntington Galleries, Marshall University Foundation, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Ashland YMCA, Jesse Stuart Foundation and Thomas More College, where he served on the Board of Trustees.
He was named to the board of the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority by Governor Brown and served on the Appalachian Development Council. He also served in various advisory capacities to three governors for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The one institution closest to his heart was Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital. His association with OLBH began in 1952 when he began working with Sister Ferdinand, the hospital's first administrator. He served as president and a member of the Board of Trustees for OLBH and was instrumental in securing matching funds for road improvements to the hospital and building the hospital into the institution it is today. In 1991 he remembered the hospital at a tribute by recalling, "Some of the fondest memories of my entire life revolve around my association with Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital and with the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. Going back to the early days with Sister Ferdinand through the present (1991), my admiration has done nothing but grow for these women's dedication to the healing mission of Christ."
G.B was a member of Holy Family Church. He received an honorary doctorate degree from Morehead State University for his contribution to public affairs.
G.B. was a man who fought the odds against him and won. He stood tall in a community that respected and admired him. He was a gentle man who never faltered in his beliefs or his ambitions for those who needed his strength.
He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Irma, and his stepson, James David McDonald. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Frances; two sons, Gil (Lesley) of Lexington, Ky., and Stafford (Jan) of Florence, Ky.; his stepdaughter, Piper McDonald Evans of San Francisco; five grandchildren, Wendi Ebersole (Scott) and Aaron, David, James and Matthew; two stepgrandchildren, Nikki Winter and Ben Young; two great-grandchildren, Bryce and Kendall Ebersole; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Sibley and Jack.
A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, 2010, at Holy Family Church with Father John Noe officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland.
Friends may make contributions to Community Hospice, 1538 Central Ave., Ashland, KY 41101 or Holy Family Church, 900 Winchester Ave., Ashland, KY 41101.
Condolences may be sent to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.
